Telomere Length Shortening In Early Childhood In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo

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Telomere Length Shortening In Early Childhood In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo

Series Title:

19th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

Creator:

Escoffier, Catherine Nicole

Language:

English

Physical Description:

Undetermined

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:

Center for Undergraduate ResearchCenter for Undergraduate Research

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedingsPoster

Notes

Abstract:

Telomeres are repetitive noncoding DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that serve as a buffer for nucleotide loss during cell replication. Numerous studies have found associations between decreasing telomere length, normal aging, and psychosocial stress. Based on relatively few longitudinal studies and comparison of single time point studies, it appears that telomere shortening occurs most rapidly during the first four years of life. However, there are no longitudinal studies of telomere length during this period of early childhood starting at birth. Our study characterizes telomere shortening in a population of children, exposed to extreme prenatal maternal stress, starting at birth and continuing until four years of age.
Blood samples were collected at birth from 100 children living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with multiple follow-up samples collected at time points ranging from one month to four years after birth. Relative telomere length was determined using qPCR T/S ratio methodology. Data were analyzed using growth curve analysis to create a baseline growth curve for telomere shortening between birth and four years of age. The effect of prenatal maternal psychosocial stress on offspring telomere length through early childhood was also tested. This study is the first to provide longitudinal telomere length data during early childhood and to investigate the effect of maternal stressors on the telomere shortening process. ( en )

Faculty Mentor: Telomeres are repetitive noncoding DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that serve as a buffer for nucleotide loss during cell replication. Numerous studies have found associations between decreasing telomere length, normal aging, and psychosocial stress. Based on relatively few longitudinal studies and comparison of single time point studies, it appears that telomere shortening occurs most rapidly during the first four years of life. However, there are no longitudinal studies of telomere length during this period of early childhood starting at birth. Our study characterizes telomere shortening in a population of children, exposed to extreme prenatal maternal stress, starting at birth and continuing until four years of age.
Blood samples were collected at birth from 100 children living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with multiple follow-up samples collected at time points ranging from one month to four years after birth. Relative telomere length was determined using qPCR T/S ratio methodology. Data were analyzed using growth curve analysis to create a baseline growth curve for telomere shortening between birth and four years of age. The effect of prenatal maternal psychosocial stress on offspring telomere length through early childhood was also tested. This study is the first to provide longitudinal telomere length data during early childhood and to investigate the effect of maternal stressors on the telomere shortening process. - Center for Undergraduate Research, University Scholars Program

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Source Institution:

University of Florida

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Copyright Catherine Nicole Escoffier. Permission granted to University of Florida to digitize and display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.